STATISTICS. (Hansard, 13 November 1930)

§ 2. Mr. DAY
asked the Minister of Labour the approximate number of insured persons between the age of 16 and 64 who were in employment in Great Britain at the last convenient date, giving comparable figures for the same age in 1927?

§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)
It is estimated that the number of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, in employment in Great Britain at 22nd September, 1930, was approximately 9,646,500, as compared with 10,071,000 at 96th September, 1927.

§ Mr. DAY
Do these figures include those who were on temporary holiday during that period?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
They are all presumed to he in employment.

§ 12. Mr. ALBERY
asked the Minister of Labour whether any estimate has been made of the additional number of persons who, up to date, have become entitled to claim insurance benefit since the abolition of the condition genuinely seeking work, and who would probably otherwise not have been so entitled?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
No, Sir; I cannot give such an estimate.

§ Mr. ALBERY
As this information will obviously be of great interest, will the right hon. Lady consider having some approximate estimate made; and has any estimate of 400,000 been brought to her notice?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
I believe that the House is well aware that the only estimate that could he made would be an approximate guess. That is all that we can do.

§ Mr. ALBERY
Has the right hon. Lady had a figure of 400,000 suggested to her?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
No, certainly not.

§ 14. Mr. TINKER
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons over 60 years of age who are in receipt of unemployment benefits, and how many are women?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

§ Mr. TINKER
In view of the importance of this matter in relation to the present position, will the right hon. Lady get the figures?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
I think it would be possible to get them for distinct periods, but it would mean a separate and specific inquiry.

§ Mr. TINKER
The point is, how many have been discharged?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
I do not think, as a matter of fact, that the inquiry would give that information.

§ 26. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE
asked the Minister of Labour whether her Department can give any information and, if so, to what effect as to the prevalence of unemployment among the lower middle class whose earnings are between £250 and £500, and who do not therefore figure on the register?

§ Miss BONDFIELD
I regret that I have no information on this point.